U.S. patent application number 16/494172 was filed with the patent office on 2020-01-09 for seat belt device.
The applicant listed for this patent is HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Kazuo IMURA, Yusuke NAKAMURA, Yoshihisa SUGAMATA, Naotoshi TAKEMURA.
Application Number | 20200010046 16/494172 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63523854 |
Filed Date | 2020-01-09 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200010046 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SUGAMATA; Yoshihisa ; et
al. |
January 9, 2020 |
SEAT BELT DEVICE
Abstract
In the present invention, a seatbelt device is provided with: a
seat state determination unit that determines the state of a sea a
movable support section that supports a seatbelt within a range of
possible movement on a seat back; a movement mechanism that, with a
motor moves the movable support section within the range of
possible movement; and a motor control unit that controls the motor
in accordance with the usage state of the seat determined by the
seat state determination unit. Due to this configuration, the
position of the seatbelt is made optimal for an occupant, and the
comfort of the occupant is thus improved.
Inventors: |
SUGAMATA; Yoshihisa;
(WAKO-SHI, SAITAMA-KEN, JP) ; TAKEMURA; Naotoshi;
(WAKO-SHI, SAITAMA-KEN, JP) ; IMURA; Kazuo;
(WAKO-SHI, SAITAMA-KEN, JP) ; NAKAMURA; Yusuke;
(WAKO-SHI, SAITAMA-KEN, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD. |
MINATO-KU, TOKYO |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
63523854 |
Appl. No.: |
16/494172 |
Filed: |
March 17, 2017 |
PCT Filed: |
March 17, 2017 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2017/010920 |
371 Date: |
September 13, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/688 20130101;
B60R 22/20 20130101; B60R 22/201 20130101; B60R 22/26 20130101;
B60N 2/0232 20130101; B60N 2/20 20130101; B60R 22/206 20130101;
B60R 2022/208 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60R 22/20 20060101
B60R022/20; B60R 22/26 20060101 B60R022/26 |
Claims
1. A seat belt device in which all of support parts that support a
seat belt are provided to a seat, the seat belt device comprising:
a seat state determination unit configured to determine a state of
the seat; a movable support part configured to support the seat
belt in a movable range that is set to a seat back; a movement
mechanism configured to move the movable support part in the
movable range with a motor; a motor control unit configured to
control the motor in accordance with a use state of the seat that
is determined by the seat state determination unit, wherein the
seat state determination unit includes a seat angle determination
unit configured to determine an inclination angle of the seat back,
and wherein the motor control unit is configured to control the
motor in a manner that, as the seat back is inclined more to a rear
side of the seat, the movable support part is positioned on a lower
end side of the movable range.
2. The seat belt device according to claim 1, wherein: the seat
state determination unit includes a vehicle occupant determination
unit configured to determine a physique or a posture of a vehicle
occupant who is seated on the seat; and the motor control unit is
configured to control the motor in accordance with the physique or
the posture of the vehicle occupant that is determined by the
vehicle occupant determination unit.
3. The seat belt device according to claim 2, wherein if the
physique of the vehicle occupant is larger than a predetermined
physique, the motor control unit controls the motor in a manner
that the movable support part is positioned on an upper part of the
movable range, and if the physique of the vehicle occupant is
smaller than the predetermined physique, the motor control unit
controls the motor in a manner that the movable support part is
positioned on a lower part of the movable range.
4. The seat belt device according to claim 2, wherein the motor
control unit is configured to control the motor in accordance with
a position of a predetermined part of the vehicle occupant.
5. The seat belt device according to claim 2, wherein: the vehicle
occupant determination unit is configured to determine an upper
limit position to which the movable support part can move, on a
basis of the physique or the posture of the vehicle occupant; and
the motor control unit is configured to control the motor so as to
cause the movable support part to approach the upper limit
position.
6. The seat belt device according to claim 5, wherein the vehicle
occupant determination unit is configured to determine the upper
limit position on a basis of a position of an arm of the vehicle
occupant.
7. The seat belt device according to claim 6, wherein the vehicle
occupant determination unit is configured to determine the position
of the arm of the vehicle occupant depending on whether the vehicle
occupant holds a steering wheel.
8. The seat belt device according to claim 1, further comprising a
collision prediction unit configured to predict a collision of a
vehicle, wherein if the collision prediction unit predicts the
collision, the motor control unit controls the motor in a manner
that the movable support part is positioned on an upper part of the
movable range.
9-10. (canceled)
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a seat belt device
(occupant protection device) in which all of support parts that
support a belt are provided to a seat.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In recent years, a vehicle in which a disposition (position
or direction) of a seat is changed freely has been examined in
order to improve the comfortability in a vehicle compartment for a
vehicle occupant. If a support part (anchor) that supports a seat
belt is provided to a floor panel or a pillar of the vehicle, it is
difficult to change the disposition of the seat. Thus, in a case
where the disposition of the seat can be changed freely, it is
preferable to use a seat belt device in which all of the support
parts are provided to the seat.
[0003] International Publication No. WO 2007/052437 discloses a
vehicle occupant restraint device including an air belt that
expands in the occurrence of a collision. In this occupant
restraint device, a support part of a seat belt and the air belt
can move with a seat in a front-rear direction.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0004] Incidentally, from the viewpoint of further improvement of
the comfortability for the vehicle occupant, there is room for
improvement in the current seat belt.
[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above
problem, and an object is to provide a seat belt device that can
improve the comfortability for a vehicle occupant.
[0006] The present invention provides a seat belt device in which
all of support parts that support a seat belt are provided to a
seat, and the seat belt device includes: a seat state determination
unit configured to determine a state of the seat; a movable support
part configured to support the seat belt in a movable range that is
set to a seat back; a movement mechanism configured to move the
movable support part in the movable range with a motor; and a motor
control unit configured to control the motor in accordance with a
use state of the seat that is determined by the seat state
determination unit.
[0007] By the above structure, the position where a vehicle
occupant is restrained by the seat belt can be changed in
accordance with the use state of the seat. As a result, the
position of the seat belt becomes optimum for the vehicle occupant.
Thus, the vehicle occupant feels more comfortable.
[0008] The seat state determination unit may include a seat angle
determination unit configured to determine an inclination angle of
the seat back, and the motor control unit may be configured to
control the motor in accordance with the inclination angle that is
determined by the seat angle determination unit.
[0009] By the above structure, the position of the seat belt is
decided in accordance with the inclination angle of the seat back.
Thus, the position of the seat belt becomes optimum for the vehicle
occupant. Therefore, the vehicle occupant feels more
comfortable.
[0010] The motor control unit may be configured to control the
motor in a manner that, as the seat back is inclined more to a rear
side of the seat, the movable support part is positioned on a lower
end side of the movable range.
[0011] By the above structure, as the seat back is inclined more,
the support part is lowered more so that the vehicle occupant feels
as if being restrained by the seat belt at two points. Thus, the
degree of freedom for the vehicle occupant can be improved without
a substantial influence on the restraint.
[0012] The seat state determination unit may include a vehicle
occupant determination unit configured to determine a physique or a
posture of a vehicle occupant who is seated on the seat, and the
motor control unit may be configured to control the motor in
accordance with the physique or the posture of the vehicle occupant
that is determined by the vehicle occupant determination unit.
[0013] By the above structure, the position of the seat belt is
decided in accordance with the physique or the posture of the
vehicle occupant. Thus, the position of the seat belt becomes
optimum for the vehicle occupant. Therefore, the vehicle occupant
feels more comfortable.
[0014] If the physique of the vehicle occupant is larger than a
predetermined physique, the motor control unit may control the
motor in a manner that the movable support part is positioned on an
upper part of the movable range, and if the physique of the vehicle
occupant is smaller than the predetermined physique, the motor
control unit may control the motor in a manner that the movable
support part is positioned on a lower part of the movable
range.
[0015] By the above structure, if the size of the vehicle occupant
is large, the movable support part is positioned on the upper part,
and if the size of the vehicle occupant is small, the movable
support part is positioned on the lower part. Thus, the position of
the seat belt becomes optimum for the vehicle occupant. Therefore,
the vehicle occupant feels more comfortable.
[0016] The motor control unit may be configured to control the
motor in accordance with a position of a predetermined part of the
vehicle occupant.
[0017] By the above structure, the position of the movable support
part is controlled in accordance with the position of the
predetermined part of the vehicle occupant. Thus, the position of
the seat belt becomes optimum for the vehicle occupant. Therefore,
the vehicle occupant feels more comfortable.
[0018] The vehicle occupant determination unit may be configured to
determine an upper limit position to which the movable support part
can move, on a basis of the physique or the posture of the vehicle
occupant, and the motor control unit may be configured to control
the motor so as to cause the movable support part to approach the
upper limit position.
[0019] By the above structure, the upper limit position of the
movable range of the movable support part can be changed for each
vehicle occupant. Thus, the position of the seat belt becomes
optimum for the vehicle occupant. Therefore, the vehicle occupant
feels more comfortable. Moreover, the vehicle occupant can be
appropriately restrained.
[0020] The vehicle occupant determination unit may be configured to
determine the upper limit position on a basis of a position of an
arm of the vehicle occupant.
[0021] By the above structure, the appropriate position can be
determined easily as the upper limit position of the movable
range.
[0022] The vehicle occupant determination unit may be configured to
determine the position of the arm of the vehicle occupant depending
on whether the vehicle occupant holds a steering wheel.
[0023] By the above structure, the upper limit position of the
movable range can be easily determined.
[0024] The seat belt device may further include a collision
prediction unit configured to predict a collision of a vehicle,
wherein if the collision prediction unit predicts the collision,
the motor control unit may control the motor in a manner that the
movable support part is positioned on an upper part of the movable
range.
[0025] By the above structure, the movable support part is
positioned on the upper part of the movable range before the
occurrence of the collision. Thus, the vehicle occupant can be more
appropriately restrained.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is a left side view that illustrates a seat to which
a seat belt device is provided and a vehicle occupant;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a front view that illustrates the seat to which
the seat belt device is provided and the vehicle occupant;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a structure diagram of a movement mechanism;
[0029] FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram of a vehicle that
includes the seat belt device;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a function block diagram of a seat belt ECU;
[0031] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a first process;
[0032] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a second process;
[0033] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a third process;
[0034] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a fourth process;
[0035] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a fifth process; and
[0036] FIG. 11 is a front view that illustrates a seat to which a
seat belt device according to another embodiment is provided and a
vehicle occupant.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0037] Preferred embodiments of a seat belt device according to the
present invention are hereinafter described with reference to the
attached drawings. Note that in the description below, front and
rear refer to a front-rear direction of a vehicle 10 (FIG. 4), left
and right refer to a left-right direction in a vehicle width
direction, and up and down refer to an up-down direction of the
vehicle 10, unless otherwise stated.
[0038] The present invention can be applied to an automated driving
vehicle and a manual driving vehicle. Automated driving herein
described refers to a concept that includes not just "fully
automated driving" in which travel control of the vehicle 10 is
fully automated but also "partially automated driving" or "driving
assistance" in which the travel control of the vehicle 10 is
partially automated. In the vehicle 10 that is assumed in the
present specification, each of driving force control, braking
control, and steering control can be switched between automated
control and manual control.
1. Seat 16
[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, to a floor panel 12 of
the vehicle 10, a plurality of rails 14 that are parallel to the
front-rear direction of the vehicle 10 are attached. The seat 16
includes a base 18, a seat cushion 20, a seat back 22, and a
headrest 24. The base 18 is supported in a state where the base 18
is movable in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10 along the
rail 14. The seat cushion 20 is fixed to an upper part of the base
18. The seat back 22 extends upward from a rear end of the seat
cushion 20. The headrest 24 is fixed to an upper end of the seat
back 22. The base 18 includes a base lower part 18L that is movable
along the rail 14, and a base upper part 18U to which the seat
cushion 20 is fixed. The base upper part 18U can rotate with
respect to the base lower part 18L using an axis (not shown) that
is parallel to a direction that is approximately perpendicular to
the floor panel 12 as a center.
[0040] To a right side part of the seat back 22, a fixed support
part 30 and a movable support part 32 that support a seat belt 28
are provided. To a left side part of the seat back 22, a left
support part 34 that supports the seat belt 28 is provided. Inside
the seat back 22, a retractor 36 is provided. The seat belt 28 is
provided between the retractor 36 and the fixed support part 30
through the movable support part 32. Moreover, a tongue plate 38 is
provided to the seat belt 28 between the fixed support part 30 and
the movable support part 32. The tongue plate 38 can slide with
respect to the seat belt 28. If the tongue plate 38 is inserted
into a buckle 40 that is provided to the left support part 34, the
seat belt 28 restrains a vehicle occupant H with three points of
the fixed support part 30, the left support part 34, and the
movable support part 32.
[0041] The fixed support part 30 is provided near a lower end of
the right side part of the seat back 22. The left support part 34
is provided near a lower end of the left side part of the seat back
22. On the other hand, the movable support part 32 is provided
above the fixed support part 30, and is movable in the up-down
direction along a right side surface of the seat back 22 in a
movable range that is defined by a movement mechanism 42 (FIG.
3).
2. Movement Mechanism 42
[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the movement mechanism 42 includes
a motor 44 as a driving source, a belt member 46 and a pulley 48
that convert rotation movement of the motor 44 into linear movement
of the movable support part 32 in the up-down direction, a brake 50
that applies braking force to an operation part regarding the liner
movement of the movable support part 32, a guide 52 that guides the
movable support part 32 in the up-down direction, and a driving
circuit (not shown) for the motor 44 and the brake 50. The movable
support part 32 is connected to the belt member 46. Moreover, to
the movement mechanism 42, a position sensor 54 that detects the
position of the movable support part 32 in the up-down direction is
provided.
[0043] When the motor 44 drives forward, the pulley 48 rotates
forward and the belt member 46 that is looped over the pulleys 48
rotates forward. As the pulley 48 rotates, the movable support part
32 moves forward, for example, to the up direction along the guide
52. When the motor 44 drives backward, the pulley 48 rotates
backward and the belt member 46 that is looped over the pulleys 48
rotates backward. As the pulley 48 rotates, the movable support
part 32 moves backward, for example, to the down direction along
the guide 52. The movable support part 32 is movable from an upper
end to a lower end of the guide 52. This range is the movable range
of the movable support part 32. The upper end of the guide 52 is a
mechanical upper limit position, and the lower end of the guide 52
is a mechanical lower limit position. The brake 50 operates while
the motor 44 stops, so as to keep the movable support part 32 at a
stop position.
[0044] Note that the structure of the movement mechanism 42
illustrated in FIG. 3 is one example. The structure of the movement
mechanism 42 is not limited thereto. In other words, any structure
that can move the movable support part 32 between one point and
another point in the movable range can be employed.
3. System Configuration of Vehicle 10 Including Seat Belt Device
70
[0045] A system configuration of the vehicle 10 is described with
reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. As described above, the vehicle 10
according to the present embodiment can be switched between the
automated control and the manual control. A system configuration
regarding the automated driving and a system configuration of a
seat belt device 70 are hereinafter described individually.
[3.1. System Configuration Automated Driving]
[0046] The vehicle 10 includes a driving operation ECU 60, and a
driving force device 62, a steering device 64, and a braking device
66 that are controlled by the driving operation ECU 60. The driving
operation ECU 60 is configured by one or a plurality of ECUs, and
includes a storage device and various function achievement units.
The function achievement unit is a software function unit in which
a function is achieved when a CPU (central processing unit)
executes programs stored in the storage device. Note that the
function achievement unit can also be achieved by a hardware
function unit that includes an integrated circuit such as an FPGA
(Field-Programmable Gate Array). A seat belt ECU 78 to be described
below can also be achieved by a hardware function unit, similarly
to the driving operation ECU 60. In the automated driving, the
driving operation ECU 60 acquires information that is necessary for
the automated driving from external environment sensors 72, vehicle
sensors 74, and the like to be described below, recognizes external
environment information and host vehicle information, creates an
action plan, and outputs to the driving force device 62, the
steering device 64, and the braking device 66, a control
instruction in order to travel in accordance with the action
plan.
[0047] The driving force device 62 includes a driving force ECU and
a driving source including an engine or traction motor, and
performs an acceleration/deceleration operation in accordance with
the control instruction that is output from the driving operation
ECU 60. The steering device 64 includes an EPS (electric power
steering system) ECU and an EPS actuator, and performs a steering
operation in accordance with the control instruction that is output
from the driving operation ECU 60. The braking device 66 includes a
brake ECU and a brake actuator, and performs a braking operation in
accordance with the control instruction that is output from the
driving operation ECU 60.
[3.2. System Configuration of Seat Belt Device 70]
[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the seat belt device 70
includes the external environment sensors 72, the vehicle sensors
74, an operation device 76, the seat belt ECU 78, the movement
mechanism 42, the retractor 36, and the seat belt 28.
[0049] The external environment sensors 72 acquire information that
expresses an external environment state of the vehicle 10
(hereinafter, referred to as external environment information), and
output the external environment information to the driving
operation ECU 60 and the seat belt ECU 78. The external environment
sensors 72 include a plurality of vehicle outside cameras 80 that
photograph the periphery of the vehicle 10, and a radar 82 and a
LIDAR 84 that detect an object around the vehicle 10. The external
environment sensors 72 further include each device that is not
shown, for example, a navigation device, a communication device
that communicates with the outside (for example, a road side
machine, a broadcasting station, another vehicle), or the like.
[0050] The vehicle sensors 74 acquire information that expresses a
state of the vehicle 10 itself (hereinafter, referred to as vehicle
information), and output the vehicle information to the driving
operation ECU 60 and the seat belt ECU 78. The vehicle sensors 74
include the position sensor 54 that detects the position of the
movable support part 32, a vehicle inside camera 86 that
photographs the inside of a vehicle compartment of the vehicle 10,
a seat weight sensor 88 that detects the weight of the vehicle
occupant H who is seated on the seat 16, a seat belt sensor 90 that
detects whether the seat belt 28 is worn, a seat angle sensor 92
that detects an inclination angle of the seat back 22, a touch
sensor 94 that detects whether the vehicle occupant H holds a
steering wheel 95, and a collision sensor 96 that detects a
collision of the vehicle 10. The collision sensor 96 includes, for
example, a G sensor and a pressure sensor. The vehicle sensors 74
include each sensor that is not shown, for example, a vehicle speed
sensor that detects the speed of the vehicle (vehicle speed), a yaw
rate sensor, an azimuth sensor, an inclination sensor, an
accelerator pedal sensor, a brake pedal sensor, a steering angle
sensor, or the like.
[0051] Note that the inclination angle of the seat back 22 that is
detected by the seat angle sensor 92 corresponds to an angle of a
reference line of the seat back 22 with respect to the up-down
direction. In the present specification, the reference line of the
seat back 22 is an axis of a seat back frame (not shown) that
extends upward. However, the reference line of the seat back 22 can
be set appropriately. For example, a torso line in design may be
set as the reference line, or a line that connects a rotation axis
of the inclination and an upper vertex of the seat back 22 in a
center of the seat back 22 in a width direction may be set as the
reference line.
[0052] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the seat belt ECU 78 includes, as
the function achievement units, a seat angle determination unit
100, a vehicle occupant determination unit 102, a collision
prediction unit 104, a collision determination unit 106, a wearing
determination unit 108, a support position determination unit 110,
a retractor control unit 112, and a motor control unit 114. In
addition, the seat belt ECU 78 includes a storage device 116. The
seat angle determination unit 100, the vehicle occupant
determination unit 102, and the wearing determination unit 108
function as a seat state determination unit 98 that determines a
state of the seat 16, for example, whether the vehicle occupant H
is seated on the seat 16, whether the seat back 22 is inclined, or
the like.
[0053] The seat angle determination unit 100 determines the
inclination angle of the seat back 22 on the basis of a detection
result from the seat angle sensor 92. The vehicle occupant
determination unit 102 determines whether the vehicle occupant H is
seated on the seat 16 on the basis of image information that is
acquired by the vehicle inside camera 86 or a detection result from
the seat weight sensor 88. The collision prediction unit 104
calculates the distance and the relative speed between the vehicle
10 and an obstacle on the basis of a detection result from the
radar 82 or the LIDAR 84, and if the distance is less than or equal
to a predetermined distance and the relative speed is more than or
equal to predetermined speed, the collision prediction unit 104
predicts that the collision of the vehicle 10 will occur. The
collision determination unit 106 determines whether the collision
of the vehicle 10 has occurred on the basis of a detection result
from the collision sensor 96.
[0054] The wearing determination unit 108 determines whether the
vehicle occupant H wears the seat belt 28 on the basis of a
detection result from the seat belt sensor 90. The support position
determination unit 110 determines the position of the movable
support part 32 on the basis of a detection result from the
position sensor 54. If the collision determination unit 106 detects
the collision, the retractor control unit 112 outputs an operation
instruction to the retractor 36. The motor control unit 114
controls the motor 44 on the basis of at least one of determination
results from the seat state determination unit 98 and the support
position determination unit 110, and a prediction result from the
collision prediction unit 104. The storage device 116 stores
various kinds of programs, numerals (predetermined values), maps
M1, M2, or the like.
4. Process Performed in Seat Belt Device 70
[0055] Specific examples of the process that is performed in the
seat belt device 70 are hereinafter described. Note that each
process to be described below is repeatedly performed at
predetermined time intervals.
[4.1. First Process]
[0056] A first process is described with reference to FIG. 6. In
step S1, the wearing determination unit 108 determines whether the
seat belt 28 is worn on the basis of the detection result from the
seat belt sensor 90. If the seat belt 28 is worn (step S1: YES),
the process advances to step S2. On the other hand, if the seat
belt 28 is not worn (step S1: NO), the process is terminated once
and the start of the next process is awaited.
[0057] When the process has advanced from step S1 to step S2, the
seat angle determination unit 100 determines whether the
inclination angle of the seat back 22 is changed on the basis of
the detection result from the seat angle sensor 92.
[0058] If the inclination angle is changed (step S2: YES), the
process advances to step S3. On the other hand, if the inclination
angle is not changed (step S2: NO), the process is terminated once
and the start of the next process is awaited.
[0059] When the process has advanced from step S2 to step S3, the
motor control unit 114 controls the support position by the movable
support part 32 in accordance with the inclination angle of the
seat back 22. The storage device 116 stores the map M1 that shows
the relation between the inclination angle of the seat back 22
based on the up-down direction and the position of the movable
support part 32 (height from lower limit position), for example. In
this map M1, as the inclination angle is larger, that is, as the
seat back 22 is inclined more to a rear side of the seat 16, the
position of the movable support part 32 comes to a lower end side
of the movable range. The motor control unit 114 acquires from the
map M1, a target position of the movable support part 32 in
accordance with the inclination angle of the seat back 22 that is
determined by the seat angle determination unit 100. Moreover, the
support position determination unit 110 determines the current
position of the movable support part 32 on the basis of the
detection result from the position sensor 54. The motor control
unit 114 calculates the control amount to cause the current
position of the movable support part 32 to approach the target
position, and outputs an operation instruction to the movement
mechanism 42. The movement mechanism 42 releases the brake 50 in
accordance with the operation instruction and drives the motor
44.
[4.2. Second Process]
[0060] A second process is described with reference to FIG. 7. The
process performed in step S11 is the same as the process performed
in step S1 in the first process shown in FIG. 6.
[0061] When the process has advanced from step S11 to step S12, the
vehicle occupant determination unit 102 determines whether the size
of the body of the vehicle occupant H is larger than a
predetermined size on the basis of the image information from the
vehicle inside camera 86 or the detection result from the seat
weight sensor 88. For example, the vehicle occupant determination
unit 102 determines the size of the vehicle occupant H by image
recognition processing, and compares this size of the vehicle
occupant H with the virtual size of the vehicle occupant H that is
stored in the storage device 116. Alternatively, the vehicle
occupant determination unit 102 compares the weight of the vehicle
occupant H with a predetermined weight that is stored in the
storage device 116. If the size of the body of the vehicle occupant
H is larger than or equal to the predetermined size (step S12:
YES), the process advances to step S13. On the other hand, if the
size of the body of the vehicle occupant H is smaller than the
predetermined size (step S12: NO), the process advances to step
S15.
[0062] When the process has advanced from step S12 to step S13, the
support position determination unit 110 determines the current
position of the movable support part 32 on the basis of the
detection result from the position sensor 54, and compares this
current position with a predetermined position that is stored in
the storage device 116. If the current position of the movable
support part 32 is lower than the predetermined position (step S13:
YES), the process advances to step S14. On the other hand, if the
current position of the movable support part 32 is higher than or
at the same position as the predetermined position (step S13: YES),
the process is terminated once and the start of the next process is
awaited.
[0063] When the process has advanced from step S13 to step S14, the
motor control unit 114 raises the support position by the movable
support part 32. For example, the motor control unit 114 sets the
target position of the movable support part 32 to the upper limit
position that is stored in the storage device 116, calculates the
control amount to cause the current position of the movable support
part 32 to approach the target position, and outputs the operation
instruction to the movement mechanism 42. The movement mechanism 42
releases the brake 50 in accordance with the operation instruction
and drives the motor 44. At this time, the state of the vehicle
occupant H may be recognized on the basis of the image information
from the vehicle inside camera 86, and for example, the possible
upper limit position may be determined from the position of the
shoulder, the arm, the underarm, or the like.
[0064] When the process has advanced from step S12 to step S15, the
support position determination unit 110 determines the current
position of the movable support part 32 on the basis of the
detection result from the position sensor 54, and compares this
current position with the predetermined position that is stored in
the storage device 116. If the current position of the movable
support part 32 is higher than the predetermined position (step
S15: YES), the process advances to step S16. On the other hand, if
the current position of the movable support part 32 is lower than
or at the same position as the predetermined position (step S15:
NO), the process is terminated once and the start of the next
process is awaited.
[0065] When the process has advanced from step S15 to step S16, the
motor control unit 114 lowers the support position by the movable
support part 32. For example, the motor control unit 114 sets the
target position of the movable support part 32 to the lower limit
position that is stored in the storage device 116, calculates the
control amount to cause the current position of the movable support
part 32 to approach the target position, and outputs the operation
instruction to the movement mechanism 42. The movement mechanism 42
releases the brake 50 in accordance with the operation instruction
and drives the motor 44.
[4.3. Third Process]
[0066] A third process is described with reference to FIG. 8. The
process performed in step S21 is the same as the process performed
in step S1 in the first process shown in FIG. 6.
[0067] When the process has advanced from step S21 to step S22, the
motor control unit 114 controls the support position by the movable
support part 32 in accordance with the position of a predetermined
part of the body of the vehicle occupant H. The predetermined part
of the body may be, for example, the shoulder, a part or all of the
head, a part or all of the arm, the chest, or the like. The
position of one predetermined part may be determined, or the
positions of a plurality of predetermined parts may be determined.
The storage device 116 stores the map M2 that shows the relation
between the position of the predetermined part of the body and the
upper limit position of the movable support part 32, for example.
The image information from the vehicle inside camera 86 is input to
the vehicle occupant determination unit 102, and the vehicle
occupant determination unit 102 determines the position of the
predetermined part of the body of the vehicle occupant H by the
image recognition processing. The motor control unit 114 acquires
from the map M2, the target position of the movable support part 32
in accordance with the position of the predetermined part that is
determined by the vehicle occupant determination unit 102.
Moreover, the support position determination unit 110 determines
the current position of the movable support part 32 on the basis of
the detection result from the position sensor 54. The motor control
unit 114 calculates the control amount to cause the current
position of the movable support part 32 to approach the target
position, and outputs an operation instruction to the movement
mechanism 42. The movement mechanism 42 releases the brake 50 in
accordance with the operation instruction and drives the motor
44.
[4.4. Fourth Process]
[0068] A fourth process is described with reference to FIG. 9. The
process performed in step S31 is the same as the process performed
in step S1 in the first process shown in FIG. 6.
[0069] When the process has advanced from step S31 to step S32, the
vehicle occupant determination unit 102 determines whether the
vehicle occupant H holds the steering wheel 95 on the basis of the
image information from the vehicle inside camera 86 or a detection
result from the touch sensor 94. For example, the vehicle occupant
determination unit 102 determines the posture of the vehicle
occupant H by the image recognition processing, and compares this
posture with the virtual posture of the vehicle occupant H that is
stored in the storage device 116. Alternatively, the vehicle
occupant determination unit 102 compares an electric signal value
of the touch sensor 94 and a predetermined electric signal value
that is stored in the storage device 116. When the vehicle occupant
H holds the steering wheel 95 (step S32: YES), the process advances
to step S33. On the other hand, if the vehicle occupant H does not
hold the steering wheel 95 (step S32: NO), the process advances to
step S35.
[0070] The process performed in step S33 to step S36 is the same as
the process performed in step S13 to step S16 in the second process
shown in FIG. 7.
[4.5. Fifth Process]
[0071] A fifth process is described with reference to FIG. 10. The
process performed in step S41 is the same as the process performed
in step S1 in the first process shown in FIG. 6.
[0072] When the process has advanced from step S41 to step S42, the
collision prediction unit 104 predicts whether the collision will
occur on the basis of a detection result from the external
environment sensor 72. When it is predicted that the collision will
occur (step S42: YES), the process advances to step S43. On the
other hand, if it is not predicted that the collision will occur
(step S42: NO), the process is terminated once and the start of the
next process is awaited.
[0073] The process performed in step S43 and step S44 is the same
as the process performed in step S13 and step S14 in the second
process shown in FIG. 7.
5. Another Embodiment
[0074] In the embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 1
and FIG. 2, the present invention is applied to the seat belt
device 70 including the three-point support structure. The present
invention can also be applied to the seat belt device 70 including
a four-point support structure illustrated in FIG. 11. Note that in
FIG. 11, the same structure as that in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is
designated by the same reference symbol.
[0075] Similarly to the right side part of the seat back 22, to the
left side part of the seat back 22, a fixed support part 130 and a
movable support part 132 that support a seat belt 128 are provided.
Inside the seat back 22, a retractor (not shown) other than the
retractor 36 (FIG. 2) is provided. The seat belt 128 is provided
between the retractor (not shown) and the fixed support part 130
through the movable support part 132. Moreover, to the seat belt
128 between the fixed support part 30 and the movable support part
32, the buckle 40 that can slide with respect to the seat belt 128
is provided. If the tongue plate 38 provided to the seat belt 28 is
inserted into the buckle 40 provided to the seat belt 128, the seat
belt 128 restrains the vehicle occupant H with four points of the
fixed support part 30, the movable support part 32, the fixed
support part 130, and the movable support part 132.
[0076] The fixed support part 130 is provided near a lower end of
the left side part of the seat back 22. On the other hand, the
movable support part 132 is provided above the fixed support part
130. The movable support part 132 is movable in the up-down
direction along a left side surface of the seat back 22 in the
movable range that is defined by a movement mechanism (not shown)
that is similar to the movement mechanism 42 illustrated in FIG. 3.
The movement mechanism (not shown) is controlled by the seat belt
ECU 78 similarly to the movement mechanism 42 illustrated in FIG.
3.
[0077] In the above description, the retractor 36 is provided
inside the seat back 22. However, the retractor 36 may be provided
outside the seat back 22, or the movable support part 32 itself may
be the retractor.
6. Summary of Embodiments
[0078] The present embodiments relate to the seat belt device 70 in
which all of the support parts that support the seat belt 28, 128
are provided to the seat (16). The seat belt device 70 includes:
the seat state determination unit 98 configured to determine the
state of the seat 16; the movable support part 32, 132 configured
to support the seat belt 28, 128 in the movable range that is set
to the seat back 22; the movement mechanism 42 configured to move
the movable support part 32, 132 in the movable range with the
motor 44; and the motor control unit 114 configured to control the
motor 44 in accordance with the use state of the seat 16 that is
determined by the seat state determination unit 98. By the above
structure, the position where the vehicle occupant H is restrained
by the seat belt 28,128 can be changed in accordance with the use
state of the seat 16. As a result, the position of the seat belt
28, 128 becomes optimum for the vehicle occupant H. Thus, the
vehicle occupant H feels more comfortable.
[0079] The seat state determination unit 98 includes the seat angle
determination unit 100 configured to determine the inclination
angle of the seat back 22. The motor control unit 114 is configured
to control the motor 44 in accordance with the inclination angle
that is determined by the seat angle determination unit 100 (step
S3 in FIG. 6). By the above structure, the position of the seat
belt 28, 128 is decided in accordance with the inclination angle of
the seat back 22. Thus, the position of the seat belt 28, 128
becomes optimum for the vehicle occupant H. Therefore, the vehicle
occupant H feels more comfortable.
[0080] The motor control unit 114 is configured to control the
motor 44 in a manner that, as the seat back 22 is inclined more to
the rear side of the seat 16, the movable support part 32, 132 is
positioned on the lower end side of the movable range (step S3 in
FIG. 6). By the above structure, as the seat back 22 is inclined
more, the movable support part 32, 132 is lowered more so that the
vehicle occupant H feels as if being restrained by the seat belt
28, 128 at two points. Thus, the degree of freedom for the vehicle
occupant H can be improved without the substantial influence on the
restraint.
[0081] The seat state determination unit 98 includes the vehicle
occupant determination unit 102 configured to determine the
physique or the posture of the vehicle occupant H who is seated on
the seat 16. The motor control unit 114 is configured to control
the motor 44 in accordance with the physique or the posture of the
vehicle occupant H that is determined by the vehicle occupant
determination unit 102 (step S14 and step S16 in FIG. 7, step S22
in FIG. 8, and step S34 and step S36 in FIG. 9). By the above
structure, the position of the seat belt 28, 128 is decided in
accordance with the physique or the posture of the vehicle occupant
H. Thus, the position of the seat belt 28, 128 becomes optimum for
the vehicle occupant H. Therefore, the vehicle occupant H feels
more comfortable.
[0082] If the physique of the vehicle occupant H is larger than the
predetermined physique, the motor control unit 114 controls the
motor 44 in a manner that the movable support part 32, 132 is
positioned on the upper part of the movable range (step S14 in FIG.
7), and if the physique of the vehicle occupant H is smaller than
the predetermined physique, the motor control unit 114 controls the
motor 44 in a manner that the movable support part 32, 132 is
positioned on the lower part of the movable range (step S16 in FIG.
7). By the above structure, if the size of the vehicle occupant H
is large, the movable support part 32, 132 is positioned on the
upper part, and if the size of the vehicle occupant H is small, the
movable support part 32, 132 is positioned on the lower part. Thus,
the position of the seat belt 28, 128 becomes optimum for the
vehicle occupant H. Therefore, the vehicle occupant H feels more
comfortable.
[0083] The motor control unit 114 is configured to control the
motor 44 in accordance with the position of the predetermined part
of the vehicle occupant H (step S22 in FIG. 8). By the above
structure, the position of the movable support part 32, 132 is
controlled in accordance with the position of the predetermined
part of the vehicle occupant H. Thus, the position of the seat belt
28, 128 becomes optimum for the vehicle occupant H. Therefore, the
vehicle occupant H feels more comfortable.
[0084] The vehicle occupant determination unit 102 is configured to
determine the upper limit position to which the movable support
part 32, 132 can move, on the basis of the physique or the posture
of the vehicle occupant H, and the motor control unit 114 is
configured to control the motor 44 so as to cause the movable
support part 32, 132 to approach the upper limit position. By the
above structure, the upper limit position of the movable range of
the movable support part 32, 132 can be changed for each vehicle
occupant H. Thus, the position of the seat belt 28, 128 becomes
optimum for the vehicle occupant H. Therefore, the vehicle occupant
H feels more comfortable. Moreover, the vehicle occupant H can be
appropriately restrained.
[0085] The vehicle occupant determination unit 102 is configured to
determine the upper limit position on the basis of the position of
the arm of the vehicle occupant H. By the above structure, the
appropriate position can be determined easily as the upper limit
position of the movable range.
[0086] The vehicle occupant determination unit 102 is configured to
determine the position of the arm of the vehicle occupant H
depending on whether the vehicle occupant H holds the steering
wheel 95 (step S32 in FIG. 9). By the above structure, the upper
limit position of the movable range can be easily determined.
[0087] The seat belt device 70 further includes the collision
prediction unit 104 configured to predict the collision of the
vehicle 10, wherein if the collision prediction unit 104 predicts
the collision, the motor control unit 114 controls the motor 44 in
a manner that the movable support part 32, 132 is positioned on the
upper part of the movable range (step S44 in FIG. 10). By the above
structure, the movable support part 32, 132 is positioned on the
upper part of the movable range before the occurrence of the
collision. Thus, the vehicle occupant H can be more appropriately
restrained.
* * * * *